What is Social Responsibility in Islamic Finance? Social responsibility is a core pillar of Islamic finance, rooted in Sharia’s ethical framework from the Quran and hadiths. Islamic finance demands fairness, transparency, and a ban on exploitation, inherently tied to societal welfare. Unlike conventional finance, where profit often reigns supreme, Islamic finance prioritizes community well-being alongside […]
What is Sharia in the Financial Context? Sharia is the Islamic legal framework, drawn from the Quran, the Prophet Muhammad’s hadiths, and scholarly interpretations, guiding all life aspects, including banking. In the Islamic banking sector, Sharia establishes ethical and religious standards, setting it apart from conventional systems. Its core aim is to promote fairness, transparency, […]
What Are Sukuk? Sukuk are Islamic financial instruments, a form of Sharia-compliant securities akin to bonds, rooted in the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings. Unlike conventional debt tools, they grant ownership in tangible assets—real estate, infrastructure, or equipment—rather than promising interest-based returns. This structure avoids riba (interest), aligning with Islamic prohibitions, and ties income […]
What is Islamic Insurance? Islamic insurance, or takaful, is a financial system deeply rooted in Sharia principles derived from the Quran and Hadith. Unlike conventional insurance, which prioritizes profit through premiums and investments, takaful focuses on mutual assistance and collective responsibility. Participants contribute to a shared fund, which is then used to compensate any member […]
Musharakah is a cornerstone of Islamic finance. It establishes a joint partnership in which multiple parties commit capital or other resources to undertake a venture. Each partner shares in profits and bears losses according to their proportional contributions. This structure eliminates interest (riba), emphasizing genuine collaboration. It also aligns with ethical principles that reinforce mutual […]
Murabaha is among the most widely used instruments in Islamic finance, representing a trade-based contract that replaces conventional lending with a markup sale. Instead of charging interest, the financial institution or investor first purchases an asset and then resells it to the client at a higher price, clearly disclosing the cost and agreed markup. This […]
In Islam, the terms “halal” (permitted) and “haram” (forbidden) establish the boundaries of acceptable behavior under Sharia law. While many people are familiar with these concepts in relation to dietary rules, their impact extends far into the financial world. Ethical investing, free from forbidden sectors or practices, is a cornerstone of Islamic economics. Yet determining […]
The concept of charging or paying interest has long been central to most conventional financial systems. However, in Islamic finance, the practice known as riba—broadly interpreted as usury or unjust increases on loans—is firmly forbidden by Sharia law. The term “riba” stems from Arabic, meaning “increase” or “excess,” emphasizing the idea of illegitimate gain from […]
Mudaraba is a foundational contract in Islamic finance that facilitates the pooling of resources between two parties. One party provides capital (the rabb-ul-mal), while the other offers expertise and managerial efforts (the mudarib). Profits are shared according to a predetermined ratio, and no fixed interest is charged. This arrangement is rooted in Sharia principles, emphasizing […]
Islamic finance represents an alternative financial system guided by the principles of Sharia law. It prohibits certain conventional banking practices and requires transparency, ethical standards, and social responsibility. Many people are drawn to this model because it emphasizes fairness, risk-sharing, and a commitment to real economic activities. Unlike some traditional structures, it avoids profiting from […]